The Morrow Hotel, the highly anticipated lifestyle hotel that’s set to launch in Washington D.C.’s NoMa neighborhood in the Fall of 2022, is
pleased to announce its leadership team of Paul Puzzanghero, General Manager, Babou Sain, Hotel Manager, Dionne Dabney-Williams, Director of Sales, Adrian Mishek, Director of Food & Beverage, and Ashley Hunter Perez, Marketing Manager. The team brings a combined 130 years of experience to elevate the standards for lifestyle hotels while bringing its guests and staff together for a better toMorrow.
The Morrow will feature 203 guestrooms, 16,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, and three food and beverage venues from Michelin-starred Chef Nicholas Stefanelli of well-known local hot spots Masseria, Philotimo, and Officina. The Morrow Washington DC will be the preeminent lifestyle hotel in the District for business, group, and leisure travel.
Paul Puzzanghero – General Manager
Paul Puzzanghero has spent over 35 years developing and leading sales and management teams in highly competitive markets before his role as General Manager at The Morrow. Paul has experience in managing traditionally branded hotels as well as luxury lifestyle assets such as the Boston Long Wharf Marriott, The Boston Cambridge Marriott, Marriott International, Inc., Boston Marriott Newton, Boston Marriott Quincy, Ritz Carlton – Boston Common, Engel Group, LLC., and Lowes Hotels & Resorts.
Paul creates a better tomorrow by being a resource, a coach, and a mentor, all while always having others in mind. The Morrow gives Paul the opportunity to work with a new team of talented professionals and create a unique working environment that both inspires and supports employees.
Paul received a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University and has now settled down in Oak Hill, VA with his wife Betsy and their children. In his personal time, Paul enjoys golfing, hiking, and traveling to new places.
Babou Saine – Hotel Manager
Babou Saine brings more than twenty years of hospitality experience to his role as the Hotel Manager at The Morrow. In his day to day, Babou drives the strategic and tactical components of hotel operations and maximizes financial performance by providing an exemplary guest experience. As a crucial part of The Morrow’s executive leadership team, Babou enjoys meeting new people from all over the world and is passionate about building relationships with people internally within the organization as well as the property’s exciting new guests.
Previously, Babou held positions as the Director of Rooms at The Watergate Hotel for 5 years, The Madison for 3 years, and The Ritz-Carlton Hotels for 8 years. Babou’s career path in travel and hospitality is reflective of his passions and his desire to learn about different cultures across the globe.
On a typical day in Laurel, Maryland, you can find Babou cooking for his 17 and 19-year-old sons, adventuring with his wife, or on a stroll with his miniature poodle Blaze. Babou continues to make a better tomorrow through volunteer work at his and his wife’s foundation that collects used clothing, books, and backpacks for school children in their native country, Gambia in West Afric
Dionne Dabney-Williams – Director of Sales
Dionne is a high-energy, results-oriented leader bringing over 12 years of experience in operations leadership, combined with 21 years of experience in sales & marketing leadership to The Morrow team. As Director of Sales & Marketing, Dionne oversees sales operations, while simultaneously designing plans to meet sales targets, and developing and cultivating relationships with the hotel’s valued clients. Dionne has a diverse hospitality background, having led crucial initiatives at properties including The Watergate Hotel, The Willard InterContinental Hotel, Gaylord, Omni, Ritz-Carlton, and Four Seasons Hotels.
Dionne continues to create a better tomorrow by shaping the future hospitality leaders in the industry and seeing them succeed and reach the next level in their lives and careers.
Throughout her 33-year Hospitality career, Dionne has received numerous industry awards and accolades, with the greatest being her family. Dionne and her family live in Leesburg, Virginia, where she loves to golf and spend time with her family, especially her one-year-old grandson.
Adrian Mishek – Director of F&B
Adrian Mishek is the Director of Food & Beverage for The Morrow, where he works alongside a culinary team to curate a personalized dining experience through unique dishes and cocktails. Adrian was part of defining the culinary atmosphere at Nemo Restaurant in Miami Beach, Trump National Golf Club in Westchester, NY, Barracks Row Entertainment in Washington DC, W Hotel in Washington DC, and The Watergate Hotel. From Adrian’s nearly 30 years of experience in Food & Beverage, he brings next level service and leadership in standalone fine dining and hotel F&B operations.
Adrian currently resides in Washington, DC., where he loves to ride his bike, cook, garden, construct home renovations, and spend quality time with his family. Adrian creates a better tomorrow for himself and others by taking the time to watch, listen, learn; making him the perfect person to oversee the powerhouse culinary team.
Ashley Hunter Perez – Marketing Manager
Born locally in Washington, D.C., Ashley Hunter-Perez joined The Morrow team as a Marketing Manager ready to put the NoMa neighborhood, by way of The Morrow, on a global stage, earning the burgeoning destination the attention it truly deserves. With over nine years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ashley started her career as the Area PR Manager for The Ritz-Carlton and then continued her career in the Public Relations space as the PR Director for Neiman Marcus Tysons Corner. In her current role as The Morrow’s Marketing Manager, Ashley develops and implements strategic marketing and communications initiatives to bolster the visibility for the brand-new lifestyle hotel.
With Ashley’s substantial career in the communications and hospitality industries, she enjoys reaching new audiences and crafting compelling stories. Ashley continues to choose the hospitality industry to incorporate her day-to-day work with personal passions including exploring new areas of the city and maintaining a lasting impression with those who make up her home of D.C. To create a better tomorrow, Ashley volunteers with local food banks and organizations that support youth enrichment and empowerment.
